Light and fluffy brown sugar cupcakes are topped with maple buttercream and crispy bacon. These Maple Bacon Brown Sugar Cupcakes are sure to be a hit this fall!
If you're looking for more fall inspired recipes, be sure to check out some of my other favorites like my Simple Apple Cinnamon Galette, Pumpkin Spice French Fries, or my Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and if you didn't bake pie and you are stressing, then calm down right now. There is still time for pie, and if you really want one, you can find my round up of The Best Homemade Apple Pie Recipes. But, if you don't want pie or even if you don't think you have time, it's okay! Yes, because I have the best Thanksgiving cupcake recipe for you right here. This recipe for Maple Bacon Brown Sugar Cupcakes is something that will totally stand out at your Thanksgiving dessert table. These are so good! Your guests won't even miss the pie, or they will be super stoked you have cupcakes and pie!
These fall inspired cupcakes are sweet, salty, and will totally impress your guests. Not only that, but these cupcakes are so easy to make! They take way less time than a pie, and you can easily make them on Thanksgiving as their baking time isn't that long. Plus, if you are cooking bacon for sweet potatoes or another dish, just reserve a few slices for the top of these cupcakes.
I made a brown sugar cupcake which has a very nice and light texture and flavor. And I topped it with probably my favorite frosting I've ever made, yes I said that! It's topped with a maple cream cheese frosting that's so light and has the perfect amount of maple flavor to be subtle but still amazing. And then I topped these cupcakes with salty bacon pieces. These are a cupcake you will want to make again and again. They'd be perfect for Christmas or New Year's too!
Tips for Maple Bacon Brown Sugar Cupcakes
• Make sure your butter is soft. It should be soft for the cupcake batter and for the frosting. I like to leave butter out on the counter at room temperature overnight before baking with it. Sometimes it still isn't soft enough during the colder months, but then you can microwave it after. Just be sure to never microwave for more than 10 seconds per 1/2 cup.
• I used organic light brown sugar in these cupcakes. You can use dark brown if you want as well, the flavor will just be a little bit more rich, as dark brown sugar has a richer flavor than light brown sugar.
• I use organic heavy whipping cream in these cupcakes, but if you don't have it, then you can use whole milk instead. My favorite organic heavy whipping cream is Organic Valley, it's so good!
• The cupcake batter will be a little bit thick, that is normal! So don't worry, it might be a little thicker than you are used to.
• I use Ateco tip #808 for these cupcakes as I love the way a giant pillowy plop looks. But, you can use a different tip if you like, or even just frost them with a butter knife.
• Because these cupcakes have bacon on top, they don't keep as well overnight as the bacon can get soft. So, these are best when eaten right away. If you are going to keep some, just don't top with bacon and they are also really good. You can even add the bacon on the next day as well. Just be sure to store in an airtight container.
Ingredients for Maple Bacon Brown Sugar Cupcakes
Homemade Organic Light Brown Sugar
Simply Organic Vanilla Extract
Organic Valley Heavy Whipping Cream
Florida Crystals Organic Powdered Sugar
Why Organic
Why use organic ingredients in this recipe? You all know I’m a huge organic advocate, and I bet you may be thinking sometimes, Why would I even bother to use organic ingredients in something that is so sweet and indulgent? But, that is the exact reason why you should use organic ingredients! Sweet things need to have flavor in order to be good, otherwise they are just sweet and they don’t taste like much else. Organic ingredients are more pure than conventional ones, therefore they actually have more flavor than the non organic options. Say it with me, organic means more flavor! And not just more flavor but a more true and pure flavor. And organic ingredients are much healthier for you to eat in general as they do not contain GMOs or anything artificial. Plus, you are being environmentally friendly when you choose organic ingredients!
So, I highly recommend that you buy the best organic ingredients for this recipe! You can also shop my Amazon Storefront for all my favorite organic ingredients here. Tip – hover over each ingredient to see the name. And if you want to learn more about organic foods and the difference, read my post here on Food Labels and What They Mean.
This warm and cozy brown sugar cupcake is topped with a sweet maple buttercream and a piece of bacon for a sweet and salty treat.
Ingredients
- Batter
1/2 cup (113 grams) organic salted butter, softened
170 grams (3/4 cup) organic packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
2 organic large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup organic heavy whipping cream, room temperature
28 grams (2 tablespoons) organic applesauce, room temperature
170 grams (1 cup plus 3 tablespoons) organic cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Frosting
1 cup (226 grams) organic salted butter, softened
454 grams (3 cups plus 3 tablespoons) organic powdered sugar, sifted
57 grams (2 ounces) organic cream cheese
44 grams (2 tablespoons) organic maple syrup
- Topping
6 slices Organic Prairie Bacon cooked to your liking
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake pan with liners.
- To make the batter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix on low until combined and there are no chunks of butter.
- Add the eggs, heavy whipping cream, and applesauce and mix to combine. Add the cake flour, baking powder, and sea salt in that order and mix to combine into a smooth batter. Fill cupcake liners three-quarters full.
- Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in the cupcake pan.
- To make the frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and maple syrup. Mix on low until combined, then speed mixer up to high for 1 minute or until light and fluffy. Transfer to a piping bag with Ateco tip #808.
- Roughly chop the cooked bacon.
- Frost each cupcake by piping a dollop on top and top with bacon chunks.
- Serve immediately. These cupcakes don't keep well overnight because of the bacon, so I'd recommend eating them the same day they are made.
Notes
- Gluten Free — Replace the cake flour with 170 grams (1 cup plus 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon) organic gluten free flour blend.
- High Altitude — Bake at 350°F for 17 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Make sure to check out my Maple Cranberry Scones recipe, which I'm sure you'll love too! And, share it with someone who you think may also like it!
